Chapter 13: Gu Yancheng Likes You

Ye Yao was at a loss, glancing over—what on earth was Shen Yan up to now?

Shen Yan sat in the front passenger seat, looked out at her, and ordered, “Take me back to the old house.”

Ye Yao: What?

Shen Yan raised his right hand. “I’m injured. Because of you.”

Ye Yao immediately got into the car and buckled her seatbelt.

Fine, being a driver was no big deal.

“Seatbelt,” Shen Yan reminded.

“I’ve already fastened it,” Ye Yao replied.

“For me.”

He pointed at his right hand. “I’m hurt. It’s inconvenient.”

Ye Yao leaned over to help him fasten his seatbelt. The two were so close that Shen Yan felt her soft hair brush past his nose, carrying a faint, fresh fragrance.

Her skin was flawless—fair, taut, not a single pore visible at this distance.

After their separation, he had never realized how striking she was.

But it was only a fleeting moment. Shen Yan remained dazed until a sudden brake sent him lurching forward.

Ye Yao’s face was calm; she had no intention of explaining herself. She simply hadn’t seen the red light just now...

When they arrived at the old house, Ye Yao handed Shen Yan the keys. “I’m heading back.”

“I’m hungry.”

“So?” she asked.

“Ye Yao, I saved you. Isn’t it reasonable for you to make me a meal?” Shen Yan shamelessly played the victim.

Ye Yao forced a smile. “Of course it’s not unreasonable. How could it be?”

In the past, she had always stocked the fridge, but after so many days away, knowing Shen Yan couldn’t cook, the fridge should be empty—an excellent excuse to leave.

Yet when Ye Yao opened the fridge, she was stunned.

It was packed full of ingredients.

Clearly, Shen Yan had come prepared.

Fine.

Ye Yao rolled up her sleeves and set to work, cooking rice and preparing vegetables in one efficient sweep.

She made two simple home-style dishes, served them up, and even filled a bowl of rice for Shen Yan.

Seeing her emerge from the kitchen, Shen Yan was momentarily lost, as if he’d been transported back to the past.

Clatter.

Ye Yao set the bowl down with a slight force. “Eat. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

“How am I supposed to eat?” Shen Yan asked.

“With chopsticks,” she said.

“I can’t use my left hand.”

At those words, Ye Yao dashed into the kitchen, returning with a spoon.

She even kindly mixed the tomato scrambled eggs with rice for him.

She smiled, determined to win. “Now you can eat, right?”

“I’m not used to using my left hand. Feed me,” Shen Yan said blandly.

“What?” Ye Yao wondered if she’d misheard. “Shen Yan, what kind of nonsense are you on about this time?”

“I got hurt saving you. Isn’t it only right that you take care of me?” Shen Yan snorted. “Didn’t you always want to do this before? Now that I’m giving you the chance, you’re unwilling?”

Back then, Shen Yan would eat while reading documents. Out of worry, Ye Yao had once wanted to feed him so he could work undisturbed, but he’d rejected her.

Looking back now, she’d truly been pathetic.

“Shen Yan, there’s no need for the sarcasm. Eat if you want—if not, don’t.” Ye Yao couldn’t be bothered anymore.

She tried to leave, but he called out, “If you go, who’s going to wash the dishes?”

“You can’t call someone to do it?”

“No,” Shen Yan replied honestly, holding the spoon awkwardly in his left hand. “Wait till I’m done, then you wash them.”

Ye Yao made up her mind—no matter what happened, she must never owe Shen Yan a favor again.

This man was simply impossible.

After washing the dishes, Shen Yan found another task for her: help him bathe, all under the pretext of his injured hand.

“Shall I call a housekeeper for you?” she offered.

“Ye Yao, we’ve done far more intimate things. There’s no need to put on an act in front of me.”

With that, Shen Yan stepped into the bathroom. “Well? Aren’t you coming?”

To leave this place sooner, Ye Yao had no choice but to comply.

As she wiped him down, she cursed his ancestors in her heart, so much so that she missed Shen Yan’s attempt at showing off his abs.

Why was this woman so inflexible?

“Help me—” he started.

Ye Yao vanished in a gust before he could finish.

If she’d been any slower, there would have been another round of chores.

...

With the contract signed, the next step was to find someone for construction.

Ye Yao was new, with no achievements to speak of. If she gave orders, the subordinates might not obey, and there was always the risk of kickbacks.

No one in the company knew about her relationship with Ye Shen.

She’d asked that it be kept secret, for fear of rumors.

So, a lot of people were unhappy that Ye Yao had waltzed in and taken the general manager’s seat.

Amid her busy schedule, Ye Yao went to the break room for some water, pausing by the window to rest her eyes on the scenery.

“Who do you think this new Manager Ye is? How did she get the GM position the moment she joined?”

“Who knows? I heard she and Chairman Ye are... you know.”

The two grew more animated, oblivious to Ye Yao standing in the corner.

“Haven’t you heard about that banquet? She used to be President Shen of the Shen family’s sycophant, but after he kicked her to the curb, she latched onto our Chairman Ye.”

“Really? Does Chairman Ye not know? How can he put up with that?”

“Who can say?”

“If you’re so curious, why not ask Chairman Ye yourself?” Ye Yao walked over, her expression calm. “There are plenty of ways to relax during work hours. Why choose to gossip about others?”

“If you’re dissatisfied with me, just get rid of me and take my place.”

“Gossiping behind someone’s back is the act of a weakling.”

With that, Ye Yao strode off.

The two could only grit their teeth—going up against Ye Yao meant getting fired, after all.

For the past few days, Ye Yao ignored all of Shen Yan’s calls.

When Yuan Qing heard about it, she couldn’t help but tease, “Wow, women really do change as quickly as flipping a page. You couldn’t live without Shen Yan before, but now you won’t even take his calls?”

“That was before,” Ye Yao retorted.

“Still, he did get hurt saving you. You really don’t care?” Yuan Qing probed.

Truly, those who love deeply can also be utterly heartless.

When Ye Yao said she didn’t love, she meant it—unlike herself...

“It’s just a broken arm, nothing major.”

Ye Yao didn’t feel moved at all. In the past, her sacrifices for Shen Yan—weren’t any of them more worthy of tears than his broken arm?

“All right, as long as you know what you’re doing.” Seeing Ye Yao’s resolve, Yuan Qing hesitated, then asked, “Yao Yao, have you thought about starting a new relationship?”

“I’ll consider it if someone suitable comes along.” Ye Yao wasn’t about to close herself off to love, but she wouldn’t force it either.

“What do you think of Yan Cheng?”

“Why are you asking me that?” Ye Yao was puzzled.

“That kid likes you—can’t you see?” Yuan Qing finally laid it all bare.

Ye Yao, sipping her coffee, nearly choked. “Are you kidding me?”

Gu Yancheng likes her? Impossible.

The three of them were just pure friends!

“Have I ever lied to you? Give him a thought. We watched him grow up—his character and sense of responsibility are impeccable.”

Ye Yao couldn’t process the revelation and didn’t want to discuss it further.

“I’ve got work to do. Hanging up now.”

She ended the call, her mind drifting back to that night at the bar.